Paper GCRP pp11/24

May 2011
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Grid Code Review Panel

Voltage Fluctuations

A paper by National Grid

Summary of Issue

1. The Grid Code sets out criteria relating to Voltage Fluctuations at a Point of
Common Coupling within CC.6.1.7. These include references to step changes,
voltage excursions and a cross reference to Engineering Recommendation P28
for the transmission system in Scotland. The current text can be misinterpreted
and would ideally be modified for the sake of clarity.

2. CC.6.1.7 (a) states that voltage excursions other than steps may be allowed up to
a level of 3%. This requirement applies regardless of the impact of an excursion,
either in duration, frequency or repetitiveness of occurrence. Excursions of
greater than 3% have been observed coincident with the energisation of
transmission user transformers. These excursions have been short-lived and
occur infrequently.

Grid Code, SQSS and Engineering Recommendation Context

3. The voltage change criteria applicable to the National Electricity Transmission
System (NETS) are set out in a number of documents.

4. The SQSS sets out step change limits applicable to operational switching and to
secured events (ie faults) which the NETS needs to be designed and operated
within. A 3% limit applies to operational switching, with 6% and 12% applied to
secured events. The SQSS also includes a cross reference to Engineering
Recommendation P28.

5. The Grid Code applies criteria on Voltage Fluctuations to be applied "at a Point of
Common Coupling with a fluctuating Load" in CC.6.1.7. Voltage fluctuations are
changes in voltage which can follow a number of different patterns including dips,
ramps and steps. Steps and ramps are normally caused by a transition from one
set of steady state conditions to another, whilst small dips (a sub-category of
'voltage change') can be caused by events such as motor starting for example.

6. Note that the Voltage Fluctuation criteria within CC.6.1.7 includes Flicker, but it is
not considered necessary to review this as the treatment of flicker is well defined
in IEC documentation and the Grid Code is consistent with this.

7. The Grid Code also sets out requirements on transmission users to ride through
faults, including events where voltage goes to zero for up to 140ms.

Impact of Voltage Fluctuations

8. Voltage Fluctuations of limited magnitude, duration and frequency affect power
quality but do not have a direct impact on the safety and security of a network.
Their impact can be observed on perceived levels of electric lighting for example.

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May 2011
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9. Beyond a certain point Voltage Fluctuations can impact adversely on the
operation of network customers' equipment (eg motors, computing equipment),
including generating station auxiliaries. Some industrial processes are known to
use low voltage relays to protect the equipment concerned. There is therefore a
continuing need to manage Voltage Fluctuations.

Impact of the Current Grid Code Criteria

10. CC.6.1.7 imposes an absolute ceiling on the magnitude of voltage excursions.
The requirement as drafted is equally applicable to events which occur frequently
(eg a number of times per day) or occur once or twice a year, and events which
are short lived or events which have a semi-permanent effect.

11. Additional equipment can be needed in order to make sure that the 3% limit can
be met under all circumstances. Mitigation measures can include Point on Wave
controlled switching equipment, additional switchgear and reconfiguration of the
transmission network.

Discussion

12. This table below summarises the voltage change criteria applied to the NETS
alongside an assessment of how often or regularly the applicable event would
occur.


Type of Event
Frequency of
Occurrence
1 Network faults will occur on occasion,
where voltage can dip locally by up to 100%
for a short period (100s of ms). Smaller
excursions caused by remote faults will be
observed more frequently.
1 in >30 years for severe
dips

2 Secured events (as defined in the SQSS)
can trigger step changes of up to 6% and
up to 12%
1 in >10 years
3 Infrequent or occasional planned events
can trigger steps or fluctuations of up to 3%
subject to local conditions
1 in > 1month
4 Routine operational switching (as defined in
the SQSS) can trigger step changes of up
to 3%
A number of times per day
5 Planned events which occur frequently can
trigger step changes or fluctuations of up to
3% as pre current practice and as per ER
P28
A number of times per day
6 Repetitive operations (eg tap changing) can
triggers steps up to 1%
A number of times per day
7 Perceived Flicker levels are managed
within Short Term and Long Term limits
Continuous

13. The table illustrates how criteria are applied to events which occur at different
frequencies and regularities. Generally, more severe events are tolerated where
they are expected to not to occur very often.

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May 2011
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14. However, it can be seen that the 3% change criteria applies equally to events
which occur a number of times in a day and to events that occur at frequencies of
less than once per month. Also, there is no differentiation between voltage
fluctuations which last a number of milliseconds and longer events, including step
changes where voltage does not return to its previous level.

15. The Panel is therefore asked to consider the criteria that should be applied to
short voltage excursions other than steps caused by infrequent or occasional,
non-repetitive planned events. Given the technical complexity of the issue it is
recommended that a working group should be established involving
representatives of Generators, Network Operators and, if possible, equipment
manufacturers.

16. In developing any amendment proposals, the working group should consider:

a) the ability of affected equipment to withstand voltage excursions;
b). International standards relating to voltage fluctuations;
c) the need to define voltage excursions in terms of time, magnitude and
frequency of occurrence;
d) the need for an absolute limit in the magnitude of a voltage excursions;
e) the costs of any mitigation measures; and
f) changes required to CC.6.1.7, excluding paragraph (b), to make the Grid
Code Voltage Fluctuation criteria clearer.

GCRP Recommendation

17. The GCRP is invited to establish a working group to review the Grid Code criteria
on Voltage Fluctuations set out in CC.6.1.7.
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Attachment 1

Grid Code Text

"Voltage Fluctuations

CC.6.1.7 Voltage fluctuations at a Point of Common Coupling with a
fluctuating Load directly connected to the Onshore Transmission
System shall not exceed:

(a) In England and Wales, 1% of the voltage level for step changes
which may occur repetitively. Any large voltage excursions
other than step changes may be allowed up to a level of 3%
provided that this does not constitute a risk to the National
Electricity Transmission System or, in NGET's view, to the
System of any User. In Scotland, the limits for voltage level
step changes are as set out in Engineering Recommendation
P28.

(b) For voltages above 132kV, Flicker Severity (Short Term) of
0.8 Unit and a Flicker Severity (Long Term) of 0.6 Unit, for
voltages 132kV and below, Flicker Severity (Short Term) of
1.0 Unit and a Flicker Severity (Long Term) of 0.8 Unit, as set
out in Engineering Recommendation P28 as current at the
Transfer Date."

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May 2011
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Attachment 2

Example Measurement Data from transformer energisation.
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7
220
222
224
226
228
230
232
234
236
238
X: 0.11
Y: 236.8
X: 0.11
Y: 237.1
X: 0.11
Y: 235.1
X: 0.15
Y: 221.2
X: 0.14
Y: 227.8
V
o
l
t
a
g
e

r
m
s

(
k
V
)
Time (s)
X: 0.14
Y: 231.7
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Attachment 3

Voltage Fluctuations Working Group
[Draft] Terms of Reference



Governance

1. The Voltage Fluctuations Working Group is established by Grid Code Review
Panel (GCRP).

2. The group shall formally report to the GCRP.


Membership

3. The Voltage Fluctuations Working Group shall comprise a suitable and
appropriate cross-section of experience and expertise from across the industry,
which shall include:

National Grid
Grid Code Users
[Equipment Manufacturers]

Meeting Administration

4. The frequency of Voltage Fluctuations Working Group meetings shall be
defined as necessary by the Voltage Fluctuations Working Group chair to meet
the scope and objectives of the work being undertaken at that time.

5. National Grid will provide technical secretary resource to the Voltage
Fluctuations Working Group and handle administrative arrangements such as
venue, agenda and minutes.

6. The Voltage Fluctuations Working Group will have a dedicated section under
the Grid Code part of National Grids website. This will enable information such
as minutes and presentations to be available to a wider audience.

Scope

7. The scope of this group is limited to the Voltage Fluctuation requirements set
out in CC.6.1.7.

8. The group will consider:

a. The information available on the ability of affected equipment to
withstand voltage excursions, where affected equipment includes
distribution connected customer equipment and transmission
connected equipment such as generating station auxiliaries;
b. International standards relating to voltage fluctuations including the
terms steps, ramps, sags, swells and dips;
c. The need to define voltage excursions in terms of time, magnitude and
frequency of occurrence;
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May 2011
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d. The need for an absolute limit in the magnitude of a voltage
excursions; and
e. The costs of any mitigation measures

9. The scope of the group shall not include the requirements set out in CC6.1.7
(b).

Deliverables

10. The Group will provide updates and a Working Group report to the Grid Code
Review Panel which will:

Detail the findings of the Group;

Draft, prioritise and recommend changes to the Grid Code and associated
documents in order to implement the findings of the Group; and

Highlight any consequential changes which are or may be required.

Timescales

11. It is anticipated that this Group [tba]